Adopt a Pet

Ready to adopt a pet?

Let's get started. Search pets from shelters, rescues, and individuals.

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Use our tools

Learn how you can use all the tools from Adopt a Pet and our partners.
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Get a breakdown

New here? Learn how to use Adopt a Pet. (Spoiler alert: it's pretty easy, even when adoption isn't.)
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Set up alerts

Want help searching? Sign up for Free or Premium New Pet Alerts, and we'll email you new matches.
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Rehome a pet

Need to find a new home for a pet? We're here to help them find a new family, quickly and safely.
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Protect your pet

Nationwide offers the best pet health insurance for the best pet owners. Make sure your pet is protected with pet insurance from Nationwide.
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Check out adoption advice

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Why we recommend adopting

There are so many reasons to adopt: meeting a unique pet, spending less, doing a good deed—but let's talk facts. Millions of pets enter shelters every year. And hundreds of thousands are euthanized each year. We don't tell you that to guilt you or be a downer, but that's why adoption really matters to us. So we would love it if you considered adopting. And, since you're here, we're guessing you are. Seriously, no judgment if you find a pet another way (every pet parent journey is different!). But we're here to help make adoption easier, however we can.

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How to find the right pet

Let's bust a myth. The perfect pet? Doesn't exist. Because there are so many pets that can be the right fit for you. It's just about knowing what you're looking for. So start by thinking about your criteria based on your lifestyle, breed preferences, living situation, (fur and human) family, etc. From there, our team can help match you with the right pet. Check out our Premium New Pet Alerts too. With Alerts, we'll email you newly added adoptable pets that fit your search—so you can check out matches and meet your next best friend faster.

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Get to know us

We know pet adoption, because we're adopters too. We think it's just about the best thing you can do. But we'll be real: it can be a lengthy (paperwork-filled) process.

So we're making it easier, with the tools, advice, and transparency you need—from the first search through to daily life as a pet parent.

Because we'll do whatever it takes to help millions of people and pets find each other.

Ready to find your pet? Let's do it.